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Glite Dictionary
💍 To perform wedding 🎖️ To mark formally
to solemnize

to solemnize

1 8.2
To mark an event with a formal, serious ceremony
  • verb
  • /ˈsɑːləmnaɪz/
  • Formal
translation icon : conmemorar
  • During the graduation ceremony, the university will solemnize the achievements of the graduating class with speeches and awards.

Examples

  • By concession of Pope Benedict XIV, dated 8 March 1749, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer solemnizes this feast as a double of the first class with an octave on the third Sunday of July.

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  • The couple decided to solemnize their union in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends.

  • Every year, the town gathers to solemnize the memory of those who served in the military.

Synonyms

to mark
vsto solemnize
190 3.3

Celebrate an important event with a ceremony or activity

stresses formal dignity and seriousness instead of general celebration or simple observance
to officiate
vsto solemnize
  • Formal
15 6.6

To lead a ceremony, such as a wedding, as a person with authority

emphasizes carrying out ceremonies with formal dignity and seriousness rather than official role

Antonyms

to disregard
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Formal

to consecrate
  • Formal
33 7.4
to solemnize
  • Formal
1 8.2
to mark
190 3.3
to observe
93 3.4

Surface Forms

solemnize infinitive
solemnized past
solemnized past participle
solemnizing present participle
solemnizes third person singular

Morphology

solemnize = solemn (transparent) = solemn + ize

Same formation as sense 1: 'solemn' + '-ize' yields 'to perform or observe with solemnity'; the ceremonial meaning is a direct extension.

Etymology

Solemnize comes from the simple word solemn and the Latin sollemnis, which meant 'ceremonial' or 'religious'. That's why to solemnize an event is to observe it with a formal, serious ceremony or dignity.